Page 22 of His to Keep
Marcus had ensured his little faithful friend was safe and content. He’d waited for this very moment for weeks, but now, all he could do was spy on Lana’s joy. His throat thickened as her happy gasps whispered in the still night air, replacing her recent sombre sobs.
“They’re amazing.” She kept her voice low, stepping back as the wooden door creaked open.
Marcus trailed his fingers through his hair. “I guess there’s just as much good in the world as there is bad.”And that bastard Carl won’t find much good in life after I see to him.
Her smile lit up the shadows. “I’d love to get my own dog, but it’s not fair to keep one cooped up in an apartment all day.”
Varia was sitting under a heat lamp with six little pups nudging her belly. He crouched down. “Good girl, Varia. You did well. I’ll make sure they bring your favourite dinner.” He wanted to pat her soft head, but he knew it was better to leave the new mother in peace. “You want some shepherd’s pie, Varia?” His voice was soft and gentle, loving in fact, even though his head was filled with vengeance.
The little dog was tired but her eyes were thankful as she stared over at him.
Lana set her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Her light touch penetrated his muscles and made every nerve ending tingle.
* * *
A nippy breezewhirled around the stable yard, dancing with loose wood shavings and disturbing the squeaky weather vane on top of the clock tower.
Marcus drew Lana close to his side in a shielding hug. “Let’s go back.”
His warmth and strength were fast becoming a crutch for her fear. So when he marched out of the stable, leaving her all alone, her gut clenched in a death like grip. A shaky hand floated to her stomach, holding herself up as the walls closed in.
Her eyes narrowed, burning into the dark corners and locating every unopened door as she darted out of the stable behind him.Carl could be hiding anywhere, watching, waiting…
Scurrying to his side, she reached out for his arm and hugged his bicep. “I don’t mean to be so jittery.”
He tipped her chin upwards with a firm pressure, so their eyes locked. “It’s understandable.” A slight smile tugged his lips, turning her organs to goo.
The pads of his fingers traced the faded bruising on her cheek. “I hate seeing what that bastard did to you, beautiful.” His voice was harsh and jagged.
Dizzy and nervous, she pressed her pelvis into him. His hot gaze trailed over her wet lips. “I’ll not let him near you again.” He broke her dazed spell and leant back. “If we don’t go inside now, I’ll end up fucking you right here, right now.” His breath warmed her skin, showering her spine with tingles.
With his arm wrapped around her waist, he escorted her past every eerie shadow and spooky tree, matching her small strides and staying within inches of her hip.
The house was warm, flushing her cheeks when she burst through the door, thankful to finally be indoors. The dying embers in the wood burner formed a soft orange glow that made the room feel welcoming and safe.
Marcus prowled around the edges of the room, turning on every lamp, lighting the kitchen up like a summer’s day. She snuggled up on the couch, drawing her knees to her chest.
Her eyelids felt like tiny weights were tugging them to the floor and her mind was foggy with suggestions of sleep. A warm blanket covered her weary frame and caring fingers swept the lengths of hair free from her lashes when her head sank sideward.
“Want to go to bed, beautiful?” His voice was a distant murmur.
Blinking rapidly, she focused on the powerful man at her side, holding two giant mugs of steamy hot chocolate, topped with mini marshmallows and a squirt of cream. She had fallen asleep.
“Not yet. I’d like to drink one of those.” Her mouth curled and she raised her arms in a satisfying stretch.
There was a light thud as the mugs met the coffee table, then his fingers threaded hers. She was exhausted and quickly losing awareness of her surroundings, pleading with her eyes to stop rolling in their sockets like bowling balls.
The heaviness of her limbs suddenly became weightless and her arms instinctively snaked Marcus’s neck as he scooped her into his arms.
“I love you.” The words tumbled from her mouth in a hazy dream and nestled into the hollow of his throat.
* * *
While the sunwas teasing the clouds, Marcus coaxed Lana from the Coach house to walk in the fields. Last night, she had mumbled words that vaguely resembled, ‘I Love you.’
Is that where all this was leading to?Could he really be ‘that’ guy?
The crazy thoughts galloping in his mind made his chest implode. Sure, Lana was a gift from the gods, but those words—those fucking three words were like atom bombs detonating in his head.
